Photographer's Note

Lake Louise, morning after the first snowfall of the year. I have very few pictures of Lake Louise, because it's usually very crowded and while the lake is beautiful, it's not as spectacular as some other places nearby. In this case, I just stopped by Lake Louise while I was on my way from Moraine Lake to Lake O'Hara, and the conditions were perfect. Fresh snow, early morning light and not too many people. Lake Louise is known for it's light blue/green water, which is so bright that it almost looks fake. Since the light is at such a low angle here you only get a hint of that colour in a few places were the sun comes through the trees and hits the lake. The mountain is Mount Fairview, and the small building is the boathouse, where you can rent canoes. The small bit of yellow/orange on the mountain is a group of larch trees, which turn golden colour in the fall.

Hi Alvin
very nice image. great POV and colours. I like the morning sun at the top of the mountain and the reflection looks great. the lower clouds add a nice touch to the image. very nice composition
cheers
chris

Hi Alvin,
this shot takes my breath away - absolutely fantastic. Especially the different colours and the clarity of Lake Luise are amazing. Furthermore the small boathouse is a nice detail and rounds off a perfect photo.
Sharpness is great as well.
TFS
Regards
Manuel

marvelous Alvin,
what a country you live in, a country for country photographers. The pov you made here is good, the reflection the clean water and the balance in the shot are very good, nice job Alvin, have a nice day.
gr. jaap

Nice, very crisp view of Mt. Fairview in excellent weather conditions. You're right, it is difficult to take a picture here, because the lake shore is usually crowded with tourists. I'll check to see if I have any decent pictures taken from the top of Mt. Fairview. The reflection is not ideal, but it still looks very good and the traces of fog hanging onto the slopes add to the image.

This is a stunning shot of Lake Louise, especially because it's different from the usual view we see so many times! The dusting of snow really adds to the photo and the amazing light is plus too! Amazing composition with a beautiful scene! Excellent work, Alvin!

Hi Alvin,
A splendid view of Lake Louise and surrounding beauty. Great details here in very good light and excellent colors. I find the subsurface rocks in the foreground somewhat distracting but a good lead in to the image none the less. Fine work, Alvin, and TFS. Gerald

A good POV of lake Louise, of the forest, of the Canadian Rockies after the first snowfall and of the reflections in the water, the photo has a very good composition, DOF and nice colors. Thanks for sharing.

Hi Alvin. You know when I was in Grand Tetons I got a shot or two that reminds me of this. It sure does look like the air is so clear. I've seen a shot or two from this place on TE but never with such impressive reflections. The mild snow, trees and low clouds all add so much to the jaw dropping beauty. Most impressive Alvin!

Excellent work Alvin! I really like how the peak just dwarfs the well placed lodge. And that interesting zebra like reflection of the frosted pines in the water is very intriguing. Technically, the sharpness, exposure, and colors are right on. And thanks for pointing out that group of larch tree, they certainly add a bit of unusual contrast to the scene.

Hi Alvin,
This place is not exactly new TE territory... However the photo is very interesing because of the early snow highlighting the tree shapes and the melting of the landscape reflection with the underwater world, very nice.
Have a nice day,
Jean-Yves

Nice, man. There's lots going on in this shot -- the lake, the rocks, the snow on the trees in the bg, the mountains, the sky with clouds. It works well here, but my hunch is that there is so much detail that it looks lots better in more than 800 pixels.

Okay Alvin, it's official.... I now hate you
Nothing more I can say- but it's all your fault...

I was in Banff and Lake Louise area in August (mid summer) and all I got was rain. Then you have to go and post a beauty of a photo like this and rub it in my face. To make matters worse- I know you can just drive up there for the weekend and not have to take a 20hr flight each way. It's just not fair...

Hi Alvin,
An irresistible winning shot, as evidenced by the number of favourites already displayed....The dusting of snow, the misty clouds and the incredible reflections all come together here with a fine exposure level. The clarity of the water even exposes the rocks on the lake bottom in good relief and detail. Nicely captured, Alvin.
John

Hi Alvin,
Leave it to you come up with a magic shot of this lovely place that is so photographed that it seems mundane. As you say, the early morning light and the new snow add unique details; but the main thing is the way the composition framed the mountain and its reflection like a speeding arrow. The mountain reflection ending in stones seen through the transparent water and the bright red cabin and its reflection add the final magic.
HLJ, Pat

Yet another fine shot with good composition. Excellent clarity, excellent sharpness, excellent colours ... it really is no wonder that 7 people have made this a favourite already. Superb.
Best wishes
Mark

Hi Alvin,
You got it all in this stunning composition. A tri-colored lake with stunning clarity calmingly catching fantastic relfections snow capped peaks and lightly frosted evergreens. The sky is perfect and the foreground rocks just below the surface and the tiny cottage reflection in the back are tow other excllent elements to this first pirze composition.
Regards, Tom

Alvin, I cannot not comment on this one despite the already very long praise you receive. This one is fantastic, it has ALL the elements:the light, colors, rocks in the water, reflections, sun rays on the water, mountains, snow, coniferous trees with snow on it, clouds at mountain level and that house!! that house!!!!
It does not get anymore "Rockies" than that...Lake Louise is an old dream from when I was a very young kid. I had that book, which pictures were not half as good as yours. I can't wait to get there someday.
Congratulations!!
Marc

Yes, I know you didn't get the perfect reflection, but the fact that the sun got his light through the water and lit the rocks in the foreground is a delicious detail, and kept also a slight reflection.
The clear weather and the clouds embracing the mountain are just perfect.

Hi Alvin, this is truly a fantastic shot, symmetric crop does wonders here, as the tree line and the mountain together with their reflections form a giant arrow, and there is a different arrow, much smaller, formed by the house/boats. I particularly like the area where the reflection is "fighting" with the underwater stones, I like this effect of the polarizer. Great work, my compliments!

I am impressed by the beauty of the natural colors of this superb Canadian landscape. Curiously the eye is irremediably attracted by the shutters or red frontages of the house. I like much the reflection and this foreground which lets see in transparency stones in water. SPLENDID. Thank you Alvin.

Fantastic landscape! Good composition and excellent perspective, the 12-24mm has worked to perfection, has managed to capture the essence of this place, the strength of the mountains contrasted with the tranquility of the lake, the reflection are impressive, the red house help to balance of work and create a small area of colour on the scene, I also like the way you captured the stones from the bottom of the water, a great shot, well done.

incredible shot, I lived in lake louise for a while and this is on of the best shots I have seen and it doesnt even include your typical victoria glacier view...also that mountain is Mt.Fairview I have been on the sumit 4 or 5 times...excellent pic